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SFA's 2010 Management Workshop, held Oct. 17-19 in Birmingham, AL, was packed with invaluable tools and information designed to help snack food companies' management personnel meet the challenges of today – and tomorrow.
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Congressional Meetings Highlight SFA's Day in DC
More than 40 snack industry executives fanned out over Capitol Hill Wednesday, May 19, for dozens of in-person meetings with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to discuss such major issues as food safety, nutrition, labor, and energy policy, highlighting the Snack Food Association’s Annual Day in D.C. Spring Summit.
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SNAXPO 2010, the world’s largest trade show devoted exclusively to international snack foods, opened in Fort Worth, TX Thursday, March 4, where nearly 1500 industry professionals from some 35 countries gathered to explore key issues and ideas, as well as opportunities to improve their businesses in the year ahead. --Read More | Photos
More SNAXPO 2010 headlines
Crisis Management/Recall Workshop Set
Planning for and managing recall has been a very important issue for the food industry for the past few years and SFA has signed on to co-sponsor the American Peanut Council's 'What to Do in the Case of a Recall-A Crisis Management/Recall Workshop, October 6-7, 2010 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel here in Washington, D.C. Early Bird Registration for SFA members is $695 and $995 for non-members if you register by Aug 31. More Information.
THE 34th ANNUAL EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FORUM
Registration is now open for SFA's 34th Annual Executive Leadership Forum (ELF). This an invitation-only event, designed for CEO's and senior level executives in the international snack food industry, provides a venue to share ideas and impart wisdom about the challenges and future direction of our evolving marketplace.
Register now to take part in this invaluable opportunity to network with peers and hear from speakers who will focus on the global economy, state of the nation, leadership and industry related issues.
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6th Annual Wilbur A. Gould Total Quality Management Course for the Snack Food Industry
This 5-day course co-sponsored by the Snack Food Association, the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), and the Ohio State University Food Industries Center (FIC), will provide an understanding of HOW snacks are manufactured, WHY quality is important, WHERE to emphasize quality control, WHAT instruments and methods can be used to measure quality, and WHO should take responsibility for ensuring quality. Click here for a short course video clip.
The course, designed for production personnel and supervisors, quality assurance personnel, production management, and suppliers, includes presentations from industry experts, practical lab demonstrations and a tour of Jones Potato Chip Co. (Mansfield, OH)
Click here for program and registration information. Register before August 24 and save $100. Hotel reservations for the Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU can be made by indicating your arrival and departure dates on your registration form or by calling Liz Wells at 703-836-4500 ext. 202 by August 24 to receive SFA's group rate of $105.00 per night + tax.
For more information contact Liz Wells at lwells@sfa.org
We look forward to seeing you in September.
SFA President Attends SNACKEX Asia 2010
SFA President & CEO Jim McCarthy represented SFA at SNACKEX Asia 2010 in Beijing, China May 25-27, Asia’s only trade show dedicated to the savory snacks and snack nut industry.
In the photo, McCarthy meets with visitors in SFA’s SNACKEX booth and explains the services and benefits offered by the association, which has a large international membership.
SNACKEX Asia was jointly organized by the European Snacks Association and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Foodstuffs. Several SFA members were among the show’s exhibitors.
Lance's Blake Thompson Elected New SFA Chairman
Blake Thompson, senior vice president of supply chain at Lance, Inc., was installed Friday, March 5 as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Snack Food Association (SFA).
Thompson succeeds 2009 Chairman Terry McDaniel, president & chief executive officer of The Inventure Group, Inc., who has served in the association's top elective position since March 2009. Thompson accepted his new leadership rule during SNAXPO 2010, the association's national convention, which attracted nearly 1,500 snack food executives from 35 countries worldwide.
Thompson commended McDaniel for his strong leadership over the past year, during which he helped the association improve services to members and strengthen its voice in government affairs. Both Thompson and McDaniel urged SFA member companies to become actively involved in the association, including its efforts to represent the industry at both the state and federal levels.
"The waters for our country and our association will continue to be turbulent," Thompson predicted, pointing to major challenges involving such governmental issues as food safety legislation, efforts to legislate and regulate nutrition, and taxes. "Are these the waters that we want to traverse on our own?" he asked. "That is why we need a strong SFA with everyone involved."
Thompson brings some 30 years experience in the snack food industry to his new post as SFA chairman, previously serving as the senior vice president of supply chain for Tasty Baking Co. after a 22 year career at the Frito-Lay Company, he worked for 22 years in a wide-range of senior management positions, including region vice president of northeast operations, and director of operations, Carolinas Region of Frito Lay.
SFA Testifies on Hours of Service Rule.
SFA transportation policy advisor Earl Eisenhart testified Jan. 19 before the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on proposed changes in the Hours of Service (HOS) rule for commercial drivers
Since truck fatality rates have declined, Eisenhart said, current rules are sufficient and there is no evidence to suggest driver fatigue is a problem. Fleet operators are struggling to recover from the worst economic crisis in 70 years and changing these rules will not help, he added.
The existing 34-hour restart provision is essential, he said, to allow drivers and carriers to schedule and complete work. For Eisenhart's complete statement, please visit www.sfa.org/membership.
Member Education Programs From SJU &
OSU Available
The Snack Food Association, in conjunction with Ohio State University
(OSU) and St Joseph’s University (SJU), is now offering on-line
courses in food science and food marketing for SFA member company
associates.
The program was developed in conjunction with the two universities
to provide SFA member company personnel easy access to continuing
education at a reduced cost for tuition for SFA members. The program
offers courses in key disciplines requested by SFA members.
A series of new SJU marketing courses will be available early in
2008, and for a limited time all SJU courses will be offered to
SFA members tuition-free.
To learn more, click HERE.
Pictured are SFA President & CEO Jim McCarthy, Christine
A. Hartmann, and Blake Thompson, Lance, Inc., SFA First Vice
Chairman.
Food Marketing MBA Scholarship Announced
A new scholarship opportunity for food industry executives to participate in Saint Joseph's University's Executive Masters in Food Marketing Program is now being offered as a result of a partnership between the Snack Food Association and the university.
Announced at the 2009 SFA Management Workshop last September, the scholarship will award $6000 to a qualified applicant who is employed by an SFA member company.
The scholarship will be applied to the earning of an MBA or M.S. degree in the Program beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year, with $2,000.00 applied annually to the recipient’s account in the 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 academic years. Accepted applicants who are not awarded the scholarship will receive a $500.00 Merit Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year.
To qualify for the $6,000.00 scholarship, applicants must be new candidates, meet the admissions criteria for the Executive Master’s in Food Marketing Program, supply completed application materials and be available for an interview (live or web cam).
Admissions criteria include: official transcripts and baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, 4 years of food industry experience, 2 letters of recommendation, application, resume, 2 business-writing samples, and a structured interview with faculty. A brief, written Personal Statement also is required. The applicant’s company must be an active member of the Snack Food Association. There is no application fee.
Selection of the recipient will be made by a team of Food Marketing Faculty of Saint Joseph’s University from among all accepted. If, for any reason, the recipient cannot accept the scholarship, it will be awarded to an alternate.
For more information, please contact Christine Hartmann, Director, Executive Lecturer, Graduate Executive Programs in Food Marketing at SJU's Erivan K. Haub School of Business at 610-660-1659.
SFA Members Take Industry’s
Case to Capitol Hill
SFA members from Ohio following
meeting with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
With critical decisions about to be made involving labor
legislation, food safety, nutrition, and energy policy, more
than 30 SFA members met personally with dozens of lawmakers
and key staff members during SFA's annual Day in DC Spring
Summit, May 13-15 in Washington, DC.
“We told them about the impact that their actions on
these crucial issues would have on our companies and our employees
– on jobs in their districts and states,” Richard
Rudolph, Rudolph Foods Company, Inc., Lima, OH said following
his schedule of Congressional meetings May 14 that concluded
with a lively, but thoughtful, session with Sen. Sherrod Brown
(D-OH).
“We were able to communicate the important needs of
our industry,” Rudolph said. “In this case, we
visited with someone (Brown) who doesn’t see everything
from our perspective, but we were able to explain that our
businesses create jobs in his state.”
That meeting, held in Brown’s Senate office on Capitol
Hill, also included Mark Singleton, Rudolph Foods; Bill McCabe,
Melissa Shearer, and Scott Smith, Shearer’s Foods, Inc.,
Brewster, OH; Jeff Higgins, Savor Seasonings, LLC, Batavia,
OH; and Nick Chilton and Dan McGrady, Wyandot, Inc., Marion
OH, as well as Joseplh Schultz, Brown’s legislative
assistant. (continued, please click HERE.)
Click HERE for the photo archive.
SNAXPO 2009 a Great Success!
Nearly 1,000 snack food industry executives from across the
nation and around the world converged on the JW Marriott,
Grande Lakes, in Orlando, FL. for SNAXPO 2009, March
29-April 1.
Highlights included presentation of SFA's Circle of Honor
Award to Michael Warehime, Chairman, Snyder's of Hanover,
the annual State of the Industry report from Information Resources,
Inc., a fascinating presentation on consumer eating trends
from the NPD Group, insight into the current U.S. economic
crisis from a top business economist, and many other important
educational sessions. U.S. Ambassador Nicolas Burns discussed
the economic challenges facing our nation.
More than 100 exhibitors filled the SNAXPO show
floor offering new ideas, products and services for snack
food company decision makers seeking to build their businesses.
On March 29, there was a special Latin American program presented
in Spanish for the many executives attending from south of
the border. Some 31 countries were represented at SNAXPO this
year. SNAXPO 2010 will be held March 3-6 at the Fort
Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX.
SNAXPO Headlines:
SFA Mobilizes
Against Card Check Bill
The Snack Food Association has mobilized its resources,
and its membership, to help defeat the misnamed “Employee
Free Choice Act” (EFCA), which would prove devastating
to many companies in the snack food industry in addition to
threatening the nation’s economic competitiveness under
the guise of protecting free choice.
The Employee Free ("Forced") Choice Act (EFCA)
was introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R.
1409) and the Senate (S. 560) March 9. “Union
leaders want to change the rules of how unions are recognized
by encouraging legislators to do away with the proven practice
of holding free and fair secret ballot elections,” explained
SFA President & CEO Jim McCarthy. “This legislation
would eliminate the secret ballot voting process currently
in place, by law, to form unions.”
SFA, as well as many other industry organizations, strongly
oppose the EFCA and is asking all SFA members to urge their
Representatives and Senators to oppose these bills. Click
HERE to contact your
Representative and Senators to voice opposition to the EFCA.
Please encourage your Members of Congress to vote NO
on EFCA and vote no on Cloture in the Senate. You may also
click HERE
for the latest news about EFCA.
Defeating this legislation is a top SFA priority. Please
contact Jim McCarthy ,
SFA President & CEO (703-836-4500 ext. 201) with any questions.
“This legislation would undermine worker privacy and
open the door to government control of wages and benefits
in unionized workplaces,” warned McCarthy. “At
a time when our economy is in serious trouble, it makes no
sense to put additional burdens on those businesses that are
still managing to stay productive and provide jobs.”
(Continued, please click HERE)
SFA Management
Workshop Helps Industry Pros Cope With Change
Snack food industry sales, marketing manufacturing
executives gathered in Chantilly, VA, near Washington,
DC, September 14-16 for SFA’s 2008 Management
Workshop where they honed their professional skills
in their quest to help their companies cope with
today’s business challenges.
They heard incoming SFA Chairman Terry McDaniel,
President & CEO, The Inventure Group, challenge
the industry to effectively respond to changes
facing consumers. Pointing out that SFA’s
new State of the Industry Report discusses consumers’
preferences for healthier options, he said, “If
you are just producing traditional indulgent snacks,
you might want to reconsider.”
(Continued, please click HERE.)
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Terry McDaniel (left), incoming SFA Chairman,
and current |
SFA Acrylamide Conference Huge
Success.
SFA's special conference on acrylamide, held Dec. 2
and 3, 2008 at Ohio State University, drew 77 participants
including SFA Chairman Daryl Thomas, Herr's Quality
Foods; Second Vice Chairman of the Board Blake Thompson,
Lance, Inc.; SFA President & CEO Jim McCarthy; SFA
Vice President, Chris Clark, and SFA Director of Regulatory
& Technical Affairs Christopher Melchert.
Speakers included experts from Frito-Lay and Heat and
Control, Inc. among others. For more information, please
contact Chris Clark
at 703-836-4500, ext. 201.
Call for Circle of Honor Nominations
The prestigious Circle of Honor Award, which recognizes
the achievements of snack food industry executives who
have been leaders in their companies and the association,
will be presented at SNAXPO 2009 on March 30 in Orlando,
FL.
SFA member companies are asked to select one nominee
for consideration and to submit that name no later than
August 25, 2008. The nominee can be either a domestic
or international, business or associate member of SFA,
either living or deceased. To be eligible, the nominee
should have contributed to the development and growth
of his/her company and the growth of the association
and industry, either in the U.S. or abroad.
Previous winners were:
2007 — Bill Mann & Bill Huggins, Pretzels,
Inc., Business Member
2005 — Michael Rice, Utz Quality Foods, Inc.,
Business Member
2003 — Warren Brown, Wyandot, Inc., Business Member
2001 -- John Rudolph, Rudolph Foods Co., Inc., Business
Member
1999 — Les Mapp, Mike-sell’s Potato Chip
Co., Business Member; John Kelly, Kelley Perry, Associate
Member; Heinz Flessner, Bahisen, International Member
1998 — Leonard Japp, Sr., Jays Foods, Business
Member; Miles Willard, Miles Willard Technologies, Associate
Member; Ryuichi Ishida, Ishida Co. Ltd., International
Member; Dr. Wilbur Gould, Lifetime Achievement
1997 — James S. Herr, Herr Foods Inc., Business
Member; Clark K. Benson, Heat and Control, Inc., Associate
Member
1996 — Harvey F. Noss, Founder, SFA, Business
Member; William H. Bryce, Jr., Bryce Corp., Associate
Member
1995 — Sloan Bashinsky, Golden Flake Snack Foods,
Business Member; Daniel E. Woodman, Woodman Company,
Associate Member
1994 — Herman W. Lay, Frito-Lay, Inc., Business
Member; J. Erskine love, Jr., Printpack Inc., Associate
Member
For a nomination form, please click HERE.
For more information, please contact Liz
Wells at 703-836-4500, ext. 202.
SFA Cosponsors
Food Before Fuel Campaign
June 18, 2008 – The Food Before Fuel Campaign
– a partnership of environmental, retail, hunger,
Hispanic and food industry groups, including the Snack
Food Association, has launched a cooperative effort
urging Congress to revisit the nation’s food-to-fuel
policies, a key factor in the growing global food crisis.
As part of the campaign, SFA Chairman Daryl Thomas,
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Herr
Foods, Inc., Nottingham, PA, and President & CEO
Jim McCarthy participated in a media conference call
June 18 to discuss the urgent need for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to revisit food-to-fuel mandates given
recent flooding in the Midwest and $8 per bushel corn.
Congressional policies require the conversion of more
than one-third of all U.S. corn to ethanol, with additional
subsidies and tariffs further promoting the diversion
of food to fuel. Food policy experts broadly agree that
these policies have contributed to record food price
inflation, and the International Monetary Fund reports
that U.S. food-to-fuel policy is responsible for more
than 30% of food price inflation globally.
According to the campaign’s statement of principles,
members will encourage policymakers to “revisit
and restructure policies that have increased our reliance
on food as an energy source, and to carefully address
how to develop alternative fuels that do not pit our
energy needs against affordable food and environmental
sustainability.”
During the media conference call, Thomas, McCarthy
and others stressed that June’s flooding in the
Midwest will increase corn and other commodity prices
which are already skyrocketing because of diversion
to ethanol and biodiesel.
For details about the Food Before Fuel Campaign, including
a petition urging Congressional action, please click
here.
SFA Urges
Congress to Reconsider Food-to-Fuel Policies
WASHINGTON, DC, MAY 15, 2008 –
In light of dramatic increases in food prices
and the environmental costs of fuels derived from
food crops, Congress should revisit federal food-to-fuel
mandates and subsidies, a top official of a Pennsylvania-based
snack foods company told Congress today.
“Although many factors are contributing
to the sharp increase in food prices, the only
factor affecting food and feed prices that is
under the control of Congress is federal food-to
fuel mandates and subsidies diverting food into
fuel production,” Daryl Thomas, senior vice
president, sales and marketing, for Herr Foods,
Inc., Nottingham, PA, told the House Small Business
Committee during a hearing on the impact of food
prices on small business. Thomas is chairman of
the Snack Food Association (SFA).
(Continued, Please click HERE.) |
Daryl Thomas, senior vice president, sales
and marketing for Herr Foods, Inc., testifies
at Congress for SFA. |
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